Vision and Mission statements are your guiding principles. They say what you intend to accomplish and create. They are principles you can measure your progress against.
Vision is the art of seeing that which is invisible, a picture of something that does not yet exist. Organisations and people need vision, they need to understand:
What is YOUR personal vision statement? In a nutshell, your personal vision is what you want to be, do, feel, think, own, associate with, and impact by some date in the future. Why bother? Research conducted with people judged to be ‘successful’ consistently highlights one interesting fact; Successful people invariably have a personal vision statement. Your vision statement is your guide and is vital in helping you judge how far you are towards achieving your goals.
A compelling, powerful vision can help you succeed, become more satisfied with your life, and get the most out of your personal & working relationships. Many experts on leadership emphasize how vital it is for you to craft your own personal vision. Warren Bennis, Stephen Covey, Peter Senge, and others point out that a powerful vision can help you succeed. It can also propel and inspire those around you to reach their own dreams. And remember, if you don't create your own vision, others will plan and direct your life for you.
Peter Senge defines vision as what you want to create of yourself and the world around you. What does your vision include? Making a vital change in some area? Raising happy, well-adjusted children? Writing a book? Owning your own business? Living at the coast? Being fit, healthy and strong? Traveling the world? Facilitating others? What are you good at? What do you love doing? What aren't you good at now, but you'd like to be? All of these important questions are part of identifying your personal vision.
Use the following questions to think about and start to develop your personal vision. It's adapted from many sources and should prompt you to THINK. Find a place without distractions. Answer as many of the questions as possible. It might be useful to discuss your responses with someone you trust.
It's now time to pull together your research and write a Personal Vision Statement. Your vision must be unique and appropriate for you. For example:
I am becoming more physically fit every day. I am almost finished studying a BComm part-time through UNISA. I am actively involved in my close personal relationships. I have fun every day at work and play and am doing the work that I love and loving the work I do...
This exercise is designed to be written by hand rather than on a computer. Choose a quiet, relaxed place and answer the following questions for yourself.
Talk about your findings and your Vision Statement with someone you trust. If necessary, make a second, better draft, but don't compromise your passion. Think big, and hold onto your excitement! Now you're ready to turn your Vision Statement into an action plan.